The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-11
Spending or Saving.


Z. L. W. Kansas.
There is no question that affects so largely
ma GRITTY Of the American people as the one of
economy, which means wise spending and wise
saving The model housekeeper or householder of
today should be object lesson to be held up for
study before the town in which she lives. The
woman who is cultured, educated. refined and yet
enjoys domestic life and knows how to care for the
money brought into the home by the husband and
how to use it wisely and well for the comfort of her
family is as much of a missionary as though she
were teaching the Hottentot civilization.
The cost ofliving is becoming serious affair with
the majority ofpeople, and is often double what it
ought to be with but half the comfort We have
sometimes thought that the subject of domestic
economy ought TO be taught in the higher grades of
our city schools and in all the country schools of
our land. Ii we had that teaching in our own
hands, we would C, m nence with making an effort
to eradicate the almost universal feeling of shame
which seems to be felt in every mind when using
the word Economy" lift could be made public
sentiment Il q it were disgraceful not to use, as
well practice ii, half the battle would be fought.
As it is, every one wants what they see others
nave, and families with small incomes of $500 feel
detrauded of their TghtSif they can't live in the
same style the family with twice the resources.
The hush, II and father works at his trade or n
salary, from ten to fourteen hours day. bringing
in the money, the wife and daughters and sons
work many hours each day getting rid Of what
the head Of the house brings i'll, and to what pur-
pose? 10 make as much OF display as some other
family that is trying TO copy some one else and so
on and on. Mrs 4 has new silk Immediately
Mrs. B, Mrs. C and Mrs D must have one Mrs. Il
has new carpet for het parlor. Instantly Mrs. A,
Mrs. and Mrs. D feel the need of q carpet as
never before Miss has o new piano. The keys
rattle and the piano is "Greadfully out of tune in
the homes Of Miss 3, Miss C and Miss D. Jack A
has pony or a new dogcart, and there is no end TO
the teasing until john B, Dick and Ned D all
have ponies or dog-carts. And this goes on clear
down to the unseen matters OF daily life, and every
one is Just full of unrest and dissatisfaction as
they before the purchase Of the coveted goods
Let one woman with intelligence, grace and
superior advantages go into community filed with
As, BIS, C's and DIS and live higher plane,
caring never 10 cops her neghbors, and these
people get an idea they never before enjoyed. Let
this woman talk economy practice it and feel really
2lad and proud that she can, and how the taste Of
that whole neghboIhood viii change! / know
three wealthy women in a city who years ago
promised each other to dress for five Yeas $50 a
year. The good influence that resulted from that
act has never di d out. l know wealthy women
who talk economy and practice it simply for the
sake Of others. God bless such women! a woman
who has so . month to spend and gives away the
lions share spending very little for selfish purpose
is a woman Whose life does not end at death. What
we wear and what we cat need b. but small part
of or living, and yet We are making it by far the
larger part